Dow Catalyst Could Be Key to Cellulosic Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Dow Chemical Company will work with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to develop and evaluate a process to convert biomass to ethanol and other chemical building blocks.

DowThe partnership will evaluate a mixed alcohol catalyst from Dow that could hold potential for making cellulosic ethanol more commercially viable. “NREL is interested in reducing the cost of biofuels in support of the nation’s energy goals,” NREL Director Dan Arvizu said. “Dow’s catalyst technology and expertise in catalyst development and testing will be extremely helpful as we evaluate the viability of this approach on a larger scale.”

The joint evaluation program will focus on improving the mixed alcohol catalyst, as well as demonstrating pilot scale performance and the commercial relevance of an integrated facility.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Shell Increases Cellulosic Ethanol Investment

Cindy Zimmerman

ShellRoyal Dutch Shell is nearly doubling its investment in cellulosic ethanol.

IogenShell announced this week that it is increasing its shareholding in Iogen Energy Corporation from 26.3% to 50%. Shell first took an equity stake in 2002. The terms of the agreement include a significant investment by Shell in technology development with Iogen.

Iogen’s first demonstration commercial plant opened in Ottawa in 2004. Shell is considering investing in a full-scale commercial cellulosic ethanol plant and is contributing to Iogen’s detailed feasibility and design assessment work.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Study: Hydrogen Could Replace All Oil in 50 Years

John Davis

A new study shows that hydrogen-powered vehicles have the potential to eliminate the use of all petroleum from American transportation in the next 50 years.

This story from TradingMarkets.com says the National Research Council study also recommends biofuels should be used in the meantime:

In a press call with reporters, the Department of Energy’s Mike Ramage analyzed the findings of the study, which focused on the best case outcomes for the use of hydrogen energy by the year 2023. Best case means that “technical hurdles are solved – vehicles are cost- effective, and that consumers will buy them,” Ramage said.

“In the best case, by 2023 hydrogen could be economically competitive,” Ramage said.

In the short term, over the next 15-20 years, Ramage urged the continued use of biofuels, noting that they “would have most likely impact on oil reduction and carbon dioxide reduction.” However, as technology allows hydrogen to maximize its potential, hydrogen will overtake biofuels and have a “dominant effect” on the industry, Ramage said.

“Hydrogen by itself in this best case scenario could eliminate 60 – 70 percent of oil and carbon dioxide from transportation system by 2050,” Ramage said. Combined with biofuels and other environmentally friendly solutions, Ramage said “you could potentially in the best case eliminate all oil from U.S. transportation.”

Ramage adds hydrogen fuel cells are only a decade away from being commercially-viable. The article goes on to say that a diverse renewable energy plan is needed that uses all available resources.

Hydrogen

EPIC Steps Up to Take Charge of Ethanol

John Davis

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is the organization that takes charge of educating consumers about ethanol. Just last month, the young non-profit held it’s first ever annual meeting, where new ideas were presented, new members were elected and new goals were set.

e-podcastEPIC executive Director Toni Nuernberg says EPIC has already achieved much success in its first two years, but the organization is charged for even greater success to come. She says it’s time for EPIC to no longer just respond to the debate about ethanol, but become proactive, get out front and change the debate. EPIC board members new and experienced agree.

The podcast is available to download by subscription (see our sidebar link) or you can listen to it by clicking here (4:00 MP3 File):
[audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/epic-podcast-07-08.mp3]

The Fill Up, Feel Good theme music is “Tribute to Joe Satriani” by Alan Renkl, thanks to the Podsafe Music Network.

“Fill up, Feel Good” is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Fill Up Feel Good, News

Home of Pony Express Making Run at Biodiesel Capitol

John Davis

St. Joseph, Missouri is becoming a center for renewable fuels in this country as the city will soon become home to its third biodiesel plant, joining an ethanol refinery in the area.

This story in the St. Joseph News-Press says the groundbreaking ceremony this week was purey ceremonial as Terra Bioenergy has been busy for some time, pouring concrete slabs for the storage tanks and installing much of the equipment:

The $25 million plant is scheduled to be complete in February. It will employ 25 to 30 people and produce 15 million gallons per year, said David Holcombe, chief executive officer of Terra.

Terra’s plant will primarily use animal fat to produce biodiesel, which can be used in virtually all diesel engines. The animal fat gives Terra an edge over most other operations, which use soybean or vegetable oil, Mr. Holcombe said.

St. Joseph has two operating biodiesel plants and an ethanol facility. Rep. Martin Rucker said the city is well on its way to being the state’s alternative fuel capital.

“The renewable fuels industry is a big part of our future,” he said. “Whether we want to get on board or not, it’s going to happen.”

Nearly 100 investors own Terra Bioenergy.

Biodiesel

Texas Approves Major Wind Energy Infrastructure Project

John Davis

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved $5 billion worth of new power lines that will carry wind energy from the western part of the state to more populated areas.

This article in the Houston Chronicle says it will give a major boost to a state that is already leading the country in wind-generated power:

It should boost the state’s wind farm business, already the largest in the nation, to even greater levels. It would increase capacity for wind generation to 18,456 megawatts.

The plan, which is expected to be finalized later this month, is a middle ground between five scenarios ranging from $3 billion to $6.4 billion.

Tom “Smitty” Smith, Texas director of Public Citizen, said Texans will ultimately benefit from higher levels of renewable energy.

“What this will net is significant long-term savings because we will not be burning nearly as much natural gas, and it will reduce the overall cost of electricity,” Smith said. “It also will create significant new jobs and reduce pollution in our urban areas.”

Wind

Repeal of Missouri Ethanol Standard Would be Costly

Cindy Zimmerman

Missouri corn growers say repealing the state ethanol standard would be a costly mistake.

Missouri CornThe CEO of the Missouri Corn Growers Association says that while recent political proposals claim repealing the statewide ethanol standard would lower fuel and food prices, the effect would be quite the opposite.

“Simple economics dictate that increasing supply helps reduce price,” said Gary Marshall. “Utilizing a fuel produced and refined in Missouri is part of the reason our state has some of the lowest gas prices in the nation.”

Gary MarshallThe Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard requires gasoline to be blended with 10 percent ethanol when ethanol is cheaper than conventional gasoline. This price provision means ethanol cannot increase the cost to consumers, Marshall said.

He notes that blaming ethanol for skyrocketing food and fuel costs is not supported by the facts. According to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while households are facing a 23 percent increase in their total food costs, they are facing a 335 percent increase in their gasoline costs since 2002.

“If fuel prices had increased at the same rate as food, we would only be paying $1.39 per gallon for gasoline,” Marshall says. “And while grocery bills are going up due mainly to increasing transportation, labor and marketing expenses, Missouri’s food costs remain inline with other neighboring states.”

corn, Ethanol, News

DOE Awards Cellulosic Grants

Cindy Zimmerman

Dept of EnergyThe U.S. Department of Energy has awarded grants of up to $40 million over five years for two small-scale cellulosic biorefinery projects, one in Wisconsin and one in Louisiana.

Flambeau River BioFuels received approval to construct and operate a biorefinery at an existing pulp and paper mill in Park Falls, Wisconsin. When completed, the facility will produce at least 1 trillion BTUs of renewable energy for the host mill and 6 million gallons of transportation (sulfur-free diesel) fuels per year, which the company says will make it the first integrated pulp and paper mill in North America to be fossil fuel free. The biorefinery is expected to be operational in 2010.

VereniumVerenium received the second grant which will be used to support ongoing activities at its 1.4 million gallon per year demonstration-scale facility in Jennings, LA.

Verenium president and CED Carlos A. Riva said, “Government support such as this is a great help in advancing the development of commercially viable biofuels, and supports the rapidly emerging cellulosic ethanol industry in addressing America’s urgent need for alternative fuels.”

These two biorefinery projects are the final round of selections for DOE’s competitive small-scale biorefinery solicitation. Earlier this year, DOE selected seven other projects, comparable in size and scope, to receive up to a total of $200 million.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, Government, News

Poll Finds Bipartisan Support for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

By a margin of 2 to 1, American voters believe increasing the use of renewable fuels like ethanol should continue, according to a new poll conducted by the Democratic firm of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research and the Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies.

POS GQRRThe survey of 1,200 registered voters conducted June 23 – July 1 also revealed that nearly half of Americans believe that skyrocketing gasoline and fuel prices are the factors most responsible for rising food prices.

According to the survey, asked if they favor or oppose continuing to increase use of ethanol, 59 percent come out in favor, while just 30 percent opposed. Support is even higher (63 percent) among environmentalists. “Men and women, older voters and younger voters, high school educated and college graduates, and voters from all regions in the country support this alternative fuel,” said the survey analysis. Most impressive, however, is that both Democrats and Republicans polled agree on the increased use of ethanol.

RFAThe survey was commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association. “Overwhelming broad, bipartisan support for increasing the use of ethanol clearly shows that coordinated efforts designed to demonize American farmers and ethanol producers are not having the desired affect,” said RFA president Bob Dinneen. “Americans see through the smoke and mirrors, weigh the merits of both sides, and conclude that ethanol is an important component of our nation’s energy future.”

Ethanol, News, Research, RFA

NEVC Concludes 2008 Summer Board Meeting

NEVCThe National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) concluded their 2008 Summer Board of Directors Meeting in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, July 15. The meeting was held in conjunction with the National Corn Grower Association’s Corn Congress.

The board meeting was well attended by board members ranging from automobile manufacturer representatives, ethanol producers, state corn growers and more. Items on the agenda covered budget items, membership, and issues that are hindering the advancement of E85 infrastructure such as the lack of Underwriters Laboratory certification on E85 dispensers.

KlobucharThe NEVC along with cosponsors hosted a reception for the attendees of the Corn Congress on Monday, July 14. Also, a reception at the nation’s Capitol was held on July 15. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar addressed the crowd at the reception. She thanked the Minnesota Corn Growers Association for their leadership on pushing this year’s Farm Bill to its success.

Sponsors for the meeting included: the Missouri Corn Growers Associaiton, VeraSun Energy, ICM, Dresser Wayne, Ohio Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Siouxland Energy and Livestock Cooperative, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Mid-Missouri Energy, Gilbarco Veeder-Root, White Energy, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, and Chrysler Corporation.

Photo above features Minnesota’s Amy Klouchar with members of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

E85, Ethanol, National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, News